Method of attaching two or more different refills to a volatile material dispenser

ABSTRACT

A method of attaching two or more different refills to a volatile material dispenser includes the steps of providing a volatile material dispenser that includes a housing and a cavity adapted to accept two or more different refills containing volatile materials and attaching a first refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser. The method further includes the steps of removing the first refill from the cavity and attaching a second refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser, wherein the second refill has at least one feature that is different than at least one feature of the first refill.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/837,948, filed Jul. 16, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to volatile material dispensers and, more particularly, to volatile material dispensers having one or more retention features for coupling a refill thereto.

2. Description of the Background of the Invention

Multiple different volatile material dispensers are commercially sold and generally include a housing and a volatile material refill that is inserted into the housing. The refill generally includes a container or bottle for holding a volatile material therein. In some dispensers, the volatile material is passively emitted therefrom. In other dispensers, a diffusion element is utilized to facilitate the dispensing of the volatile material. Examples of diffusion elements include heaters, piezoelectric elements, fans, aerosol actuators, and the like. Regardless of the manner in which the volatile material is emitted, once the volatile material has been expended from the refill, the refill can typically be removed by a user and replaced with a new refill.

One type of commercial volatile material dispenser, referred to herein as a plug-in scented oil dispenser, includes a housing and a heater disposed within the housing. A refill for use with a plug-in scented oil dispenser generally includes a container portion having a bottom end and a top end, wherein the container portion terminates in a neck portion at the top end. A volatile material is disposed within the container portion and a wick is in contact with the volatile material and extends out of the refill through the neck portion. A plug or other connector generally positions and retains the wick within the neck portion. Upon insertion of the refill into the dispenser, at least a portion of the wick is disposed adjacent the heater such that volatile material that moves through the wick is volatilized by the heater.

Another feature of various volatile material dispensers and refills is that each refill has features that are unique or complementary to the particular dimensions of the housing of the dispenser for which it is sold. Still further, each refill has a feature that interacts with a further feature in the dispenser for which it is manufactured to retain the refill within the dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to illustrative embodiments, a method of attaching two or more different refills to a volatile material dispenser includes the steps of providing a volatile material dispenser that includes a housing and a cavity adapted to accept two or more different refills containing volatile materials and attaching a first refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser. The method further includes the steps of removing the first refill from the cavity and attaching a second refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser, wherein the second refill has at least one feature that is different than at least one feature of the first refill.

In any of the embodiments herein, the step of attaching the first refill within the cavity may include the step of attaching the first refill to the housing by a latch that interacts with a structure on a neck portion of the first refill to prevent downward movement of the first refill.

In any of the embodiments herein, the latch may not retain the second refill.

In any of the embodiments herein, the volatile material dispenser may further include a channel disposed within the cavity for accommodating first and second wicks extending from the first and second refills, respectively, and a heater disposed within the housing and spaced from the channel such that heat is transferred from the heater to each of the wicks when the respective refills are attached to the housing.

In any of the embodiments herein, the first refill may be symmetrical about a plane that extends along a width of the first refill and through a vertical axis of the first refill and the second refill may be asymmetrical about a plane that that extends along a width of the second refill and through a vertical axis of the second refill.

In any of the embodiments herein, the feature of the first refill may include similarly-shaped protrusions extending from front and rear surface thereof and the feature of the second refill does not include similarly-shaped protrusions extending from front and rear surfaces thereof.

In any of the embodiments herein, the feature of the second refill may include a cylindrical projection extending from the rear surface thereof and the feature of the first refill does not include a cylindrical projection extending from the rear surface thereof.

In other illustrative embodiments, a method of attaching two or more different refills to a volatile material dispenser includes the step of providing a volatile material dispenser that includes a housing, a cavity adapted to separately accept two or more different refills containing volatile materials, a first implement that attaches a first refill to the housing, and a second implement that attaches the second refill to the housing, wherein the first and second implements are different and retain the first and second refills, respectively, in different manners. The method further includes the steps of attaching the first refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser such that the first implement retains the first refill, removing the first refill from the cavity, and attaching the second refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser such that the second implement retains the second refill, wherein the second refill has at least one feature that is different than at least one feature of the first refill.

In any of the embodiments herein, the first implement may not attach the second refill to the housing and the second implement does not attach the first refill to the housing.

In any of the embodiments herein, the step of attaching the first refill within the cavity may include the step of attaching the first refill to the housing by a latch that interacts with a structure on a neck portion of the first refill to prevent downward movement of the first refill.

In any of the embodiments herein, the latch may not retain the second refill.

In any of the embodiments herein, the volatile material dispenser may further include a channel disposed within the cavity for accommodating first and second wicks extending from the first and second refills, respectively, and a heater disposed within the housing and spaced from the channel such that heat is transferred from the heater to each of the wicks when the respective refills are attached to the housing.

In any of the embodiments herein, the first refill may be symmetrical about a plane that extends along a width of the first refill and through a vertical axis of the first refill and the second refill may be asymmetrical about a plane that that extends along a width of the second refill and through a vertical axis of the second refill.

In any of the embodiments herein, the feature of the first refill may include similarly-shaped protrusions extending from front and rear surface thereof and the feature of the second refill does not include similarly-shaped protrusions extending from front and rear surfaces thereof.

In any of the embodiments herein, the feature of the second refill may include a cylindrical projection extending from the rear surface thereof and the feature of the first refill may not include a cylindrical projection extending from the rear surface thereof.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, wherein similar structures have like or similar reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of a first embodiment of a volatile material dispenser according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the volatile material dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the volatile material dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the volatile material dispenser of FIG. 1 with a front cover removed therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a bottom isometric view of the volatile material dispenser of FIG. 1 with the front cover removed therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevational view of the volatile material dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top isometric view of a refill that may be inserted into the volatile material dispensers disclosed herein;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the refill of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top elevational view of the refill of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the volatile material dispenser of FIG. 4 with the refill of FIGS. 7-9 inserted therein in a first orientation;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the volatile material dispenser of FIG. 4 with the refill of FIGS. 7-9 inserted therein in a second orientation;

FIG. 12 is a top isometric view of another refill that may be inserted into the volatile material dispensers disclosed herein;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the refill of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the volatile material dispenser of FIG. 4 with the refill of FIGS. 12 and 13 inserted therein in a first orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to volatile material dispensers for vaporizing and dispensing volatile materials. While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, several specific embodiments are discussed herein with the understanding that the present invention is to be considered only as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and it is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Further, the use of the term volatile material herein refers to any volatile material that a consumer may desire to emit into an area surrounding one or more refills holding the volatile material(s) and/or a dispenser holding one or more refills. Illustratively, the types of volatile materials may be, for example, a cleaner, an insecticide, an insect repellant, an insect attractant, a mold or mildew inhibitor, a fragrance, a disinfectant, an air purifier, an aromatherapy scent, an antiseptic, a positive fragrancing volatile material, an air-freshener, a deodorizer, or the like, and combinations thereof. Additives may be included in the volatile material, such as, for example, fragrances and/or preservatives.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a first embodiment of a volatile material dispenser 20 of the present invention includes a housing 22 formed from a front cover 24 and a rear cover 26. A chassis 28 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is disposed within the housing 22 between the front and rear covers 24, 26 and supports various components, such as, a plug assembly 28 (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6), a printed circuit board (not shown), a fan 30 (FIGS. 3 and 4), first and second ceramic heating bodies 32 a, 32 b (FIGS. 3 and 4), first and second light emitting diodes (LEDs) 34 a, 34 b (only 34 a shown FIGS. 3 and 4), and a selector switch 36 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the chassis 28 generally includes first and second generally cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b forming first and second channels 42 a, 42 b, respectively, wherein the first and second ceramic heating bodies 32 a, 32 b are disposed above the first and second generally cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b, respectively. The heating bodies 32 a, 32 b further include channels 44 a, 44 b formed therethrough to accommodate wicks, wherein the channels 44 a, 44 b are aligned with the channels 42 a, 42 b through the cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b to accommodate wicks. The chassis 28 further includes first and second chimneys 46 a, 46 b that are disposed above and aligned with the first and second heating bodies 32 a, 32 b, respectively. The PCB is disposed within the chassis 28 behind the heating bodies 32 a, 32 b, cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b, and the chimneys 46 a, 46 b, wherein the first and second LEDs 34 a, 34 b extend from the PCB to points adjacent rear surfaces of the first and second chimneys 46 a, 46 b, respectively, to illuminate same.

As seen in FIGS. 2-7, the chassis 28 further includes a generally horizontal member 60 disposed at lower ends of the cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b and a generally vertical member 62 that is perpendicular to and extends downwardly from a central portion 64 of the horizontal member 60. A lower end 66 of the vertical member 62 is curved and includes curved ledges 68 a, 68 b extending from opposing sides 70 a, 70 b thereof and being generally perpendicular to the vertical member 62.

The volatile material dispenser 20 includes a number of retention features or implements that aid in retaining a refill therein in more than one orientation, wherein such retention features will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. Specifically, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the dispenser 20 includes a first retention feature including a plurality of stationary ribs 80 a, 80 b disposed on inner surfaces along a height (parallel to a vertical axis of the dispenser) of each of the cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b and extending into the channels 42 a, 42 b formed by the cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b. Although seven ribs are depicted on each cylindrical structure 40 a, 40 b, any number of ribs may be utilized. A second retention features includes flexible, movable ribs 82 a, 82 b forming a part of the cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b and extending into the channels 42 a, 42 b formed by the cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b. The movable ribs 82 a, 82 b are connected to the cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b by a hinge or other flexible structure that allows lower ends 84 a, 84 b of the ribs 82 a, 82 b to move in and out of the respective channels 42 a, 42 b. Although only a single movable rib 82 a, 82 b is depicted in each cylindrical structure 40 a, 40 b, any number of movable ribs 82 a, 82 b may be utilized. The function of the ribs 80 a, 80 b, 82 b, 82 b will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a third retention feature includes first and second latches 100 a, 100 b extending downwardly from the horizontal member 60 and spaced from the respective cylindrical structures 40 a, 40 b. Each of the latches 100 a, 100 b includes a downwardly extending member 102 a, 102 b and an inwardly extending projection 104 a, 104 b. The curved ledges 68 a, 68 b described above provide a fourth retention feature. The function of the ledges 68 a, 68 b and the latches 100 a, 100 b will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

The first channel 42 a, the vertical member 62, the ledge 68 a, the stationary ribs 80 a, the movable ribs 82 a, and the latch 100 a are formed within a first cavity 110 a of the dispenser 20 and provide a first retention housing 112 a for the retention of a first refill. Likewise, the second channel 42 b, the vertical member 62, the ledge 68 b, the stationary ribs 80 b, the movable ribs 82 b, and the latch 100 b are formed within a second cavity 110 b of the dispenser 20 and provide a second retention housing 112 b for the retention of a second refill.

A first refill 200 capable of insertion into the volatile material dispenser 20 is depicted in FIGS. 7-9. The refill 200 generally includes a container portion 202 that holds a volatile material, wherein a cylindrical neck portion 204 extends upwardly from the container portion 202. A plug assembly 206 is disposed within and attached to the neck portion 204 of the refill 200. A wick 208 is disposed in contact with the volatile material inside the container portion 202 and extends upwardly through the neck portion 204, such that a portion of the wick 208 is exposed to a surrounding environment. The wick 208 is retained within the neck portion 204 by the plug assembly 206, wherein a sheath 209 extends upwardly from the plug assembly 206 to surround a portion of the wick 208. A thread 210 is disposed on the neck portion 204, wherein the thread 210 may retain a cap (not shown) thereon and/or may aid in retaining the refill 200 within the dispenser 200, as discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

The container portion 202 of the refill 200 includes front and rear surfaces 212 a, 212 b and first and second side surfaces 212 c, 212 d connecting the front and rear surfaces 212 a, 212 b. The front surface 212 a has a generally bulbous central portion and is generally curved inwardly at sides and a bottom thereof and the rear surface 212 b is generally planar. Further, and referring to FIG. 7, the side surfaces 212 c, 212 d begin at the neck portion 204 and curve outwardly at top portions 214 thereof and inwardly at bottom portions 216 thereof to generally form a heart shape that is truncated at a bottom surface 218 thereof. A shell-shaped protrusion 220 extends outwardly from the front surface 212 a and a semi-cylindrical projection 222 extends outwardly from the rear surface 212 b along a height of the container portion 202.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict the refill 200 inserted into and retained within the second retention housing 112 b of the dispenser 20 in first and second orientations, respectively. In the first orientation of FIG. 10, the wick 208 and sheath 209 are inserted into the channel 42 a and the refill 200 is pushed upwardly until the latch 100 b meets the thread 210 on the refill 200. As the thread 210 passes the latch 100 b, an interference between the thread 210 and the projection 104 b on the latch 100 b causes the latch 100 b to flex outwardly until the thread 210 passes the projection 104 b. During such movement, the stationary ribs 80 b create an interference fit between the sheath 209 surrounding the wick 208 of the refill 200. The movable rib 82 b allows for a bit of give or movement of the wick 208 and sheath 209 such that the interference fit is not too tight. The stationary ribs 80 b and movable rib 82 b create a horizontal load on the sheath 209 that aids in retaining the wick 208 within the channel 42 a. Once the thread 210 passes the projection 104 b, the refill 200 is in a retained position, wherein the stationary and movable ribs 80 b, 82 b partially retain the wick 208 and the sheath 209 in place, the projection 104 b extending from the latch 100 b interferes with the thread 210 to prevent downward movement of the refill 200, and the protrusion 220 extending from the refill 200 sits on the ledge 68 b to also prevent downwardly movement of the refill 200.

In the second orientation of FIG. 11, the refill 200 has been rotated 180 degrees about a vertical axis 230 (FIGS. 8 and 9) of the refill 200. In such orientation, the wick 208 and sheath 209 are inserted and retained in the same manner as with the first orientation (by the stationary and movable ribs 80 b, 82 b). Additionally, the projection 104 b extending from the latch 100 b provides an interference with the thread 210 to prevent downward movement of the refill 200. In this orientation, the refill 200 is not retained in any way by the protrusion 220 extending therefrom.

Although a thread 210 is utilized to interact with the latch 100 b, any annular member, projection, or other structure that interacts with the latch 100 b to prevent downward movement may alternatively be utilized. Still alternatively, the thread 210 may be discontinuous.

Although the refill 200 is shown inserted into and retained within the second retention housing 112 b, the refill 200 can be retained in first and second orientations within the first retention housing 112 a. In particular, in the first orientation, the protrusion 220 extending from the refill 200 is captured by the ledge 68 a and in the second orientation, the protrusion 220 extends outwardly away from the ledge 68 a and is not utilized to retain the refill 200 within the dispenser 20.

A further refill 300 capable of insertion into the volatile material dispenser 20 is depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13. The refill 300 includes a container 302, a neck portion 304 extending upwardly from the container 302, a wick 306 in contact with a volatile material in the container 302 and extending out the neck portion 304, and a plug assembly 308 for holding the wick 306 within the neck portion 304. The container 302 includes a body 310 that is generally symmetrical about the neck portion 304 and includes opposing front and rear walls 312 a, 312 b and opposing side walls 314 a, 314 b. Shell-shaped protrusions 316 a, 316 b extend outwardly from the front and rear walls 312 a, 312 b, respectively. The protrusions 316 a, 316 b may alternatively have any other suitable shape. The neck portion 304 includes a thread 320 disposed on an outer surface thereof for attachment of a cap (not shown) thereto and the plug assembly 308 includes a sheath 322 extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the sheath 322 surrounds at least a portion of the wick 306.

FIG. 14 depicts the refill 300 inserted into and retained within the second retention housing 112 b of the dispenser 20 in a first orientation. Because the refill 300 is symmetrical about the neck portion 304 thereof, the refill 300 fits within the dispenser 20 in the same exact manner for the second orientation, so only the first orientation will be discussed herein. In the first orientation, the wick 306 and sheath 322 are inserted into the channel 42 a and the refill 300 is pushed upwardly. During such movement, the stationary ribs 80 b create an interference fit with the sheath 322 surrounding the wick 306 of the refill 300 (by way of a horizontal load being applied to the sheath 322), as discussed in detail above. The movable rib 82 b allows for a bit of give or movement of the wick 306 and sheath 322 such that the interference fit is not too tight. In a retained position, wherein the stationary and movable ribs 80 b, 82 b partially retain the wick 306 and the sheath 322 in place, the protrusion 316 a extending from the refill 300 sits on the ledge 68 b to prevent downward movement of the refill 300. In the second orientation, which is rotated 180 degrees about a vertical axis 330 (FIG. 13) of the refill 300 from the first orientation, the protrusion 316 b would prevent downward movement of the refill 300 in the same manner.

Although terms such as vertical, horizontal, downward, inward, etc. are utilized throughout the present application, such terms are not meant to limit the present invention, but instead, give relative direction when the dispenser 20 and/or refills 200, 300 are placed in a use position. Still further, although the dispensers 30 herein are described as having certain electrical features (LEDs, fan, heaters, etc.), the principles of the present invention may be utilized in dispensers having different electrical features.

Although multiple retention features are described herein, not all of such retention features are necessary for the present invention. Further, other refills having different shapes, sizes, and/or configurations may be utilized with the dispensers herein, so long as the appropriate retention features are present and capable of attachment with the dispensers.

Any of the embodiments described herein may be modified to include any of the structures or methodologies disclosed in connection with other embodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides volatile material dispensers that accommodate different volatile material refills having different features. This allows a user to purchase a single volatile material dispenser and use refills from multiple different manufacturers.

Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. 

I claim:
 1. A method of attaching two or more different refills to a volatile material dispenser, the method comprising the steps of: providing a volatile material dispenser that includes a housing and a cavity adapted to accept two or more different refills containing volatile materials; attaching a first refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser; removing the first refill from the cavity; and attaching a second refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser, wherein the second refill has at least one feature that is different than at least one feature of the first refill.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the first refill within the cavity includes the step of attaching the first refill to the housing by a latch that interacts with a structure on a neck portion of the first refill to prevent downward movement of the first refill.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the latch does not retain the second refill.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile material dispenser further includes a channel disposed within the cavity for accommodating first and second wicks extending from the first and second refills, respectively, and a heater disposed within the housing and spaced from the channel such that heat is transferred from the heater to each of the wicks when the respective refills are attached to the housing.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first refill is symmetrical about a plane that extends along a width of the first refill and through a vertical axis of the first refill and the second refill is asymmetrical about a plane that that extends along a width of the second refill and through a vertical axis of the second refill.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature of the first refill includes similarly-shaped protrusions extending from front and rear surface thereof and the feature of the second refill does not include similarly-shaped protrusions extending from front and rear surfaces thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature of the second refill includes a cylindrical projection extending from the rear surface thereof and the feature of the first refill does not include a cylindrical projection extending from the rear surface thereof.
 8. A method of attaching two or more different refills to a volatile material dispenser, the method comprising the steps of: providing a volatile material dispenser that includes a housing, a cavity adapted to separately accept two or more different refills containing volatile materials, a first implement that attaches a first refill to the housing, and a second implement that attaches the second refill to the housing, wherein the first and second implements are different and retain the first and second refills, respectively, in different manners; attaching the first refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser such that the first implement retains the first refill; removing the first refill from the cavity; and attaching the second refill within the cavity of the volatile material dispenser such that the second implement retains the second refill, wherein the second refill has at least one feature that is different than at least one feature of the first refill.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first implement does not attach the second refill to the housing and the second implement does not attach the first refill to the housing.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of attaching the first refill within the cavity includes the step of attaching the first refill to the housing by a latch that interacts with a structure on a neck portion of the first refill to prevent downward movement of the first refill.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the latch does not retain the second refill.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the volatile material dispenser further includes a channel disposed within the cavity for accommodating first and second wicks extending from the first and second refills, respectively, and a heater disposed within the housing and spaced from the channel such that heat is transferred from the heater to each of the wicks when the respective refills are attached to the housing.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the first refill is symmetrical about a plane that extends along a width of the first refill and through a vertical axis of the first refill and the second refill is asymmetrical about a plane that that extends along a width of the second refill and through a vertical axis of the second refill.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the feature of the first refill includes similarly-shaped protrusions extending from front and rear surface thereof and the feature of the second refill does not include similarly-shaped protrusions extending from front and rear surfaces thereof.
 15. The method of claim 8, wherein the feature of the second refill includes a cylindrical projection extending from the rear surface thereof and the feature of the first refill does not include a cylindrical projection extending from the rear surface thereof. 